What We Know About Ejigbadero’s Moves After Ikola Bloodshed
Kehinde Adeleye
The Chairman of Agbado Oke Odo Local Council Development Area, Abiodun Jimoh Isola, popularly known as Ejigbadero, moved to mobilise security intervention after receiving reports of the deadly violence that erupted around WaZoBia Market in Ikola, Lagos.
The crisis, which occurred on Thursday, August 27, 2026, reportedly resulted in deaths, injuries and the destruction of properties, throwing the community into panic.
According to the chairman, he received information about a clash involving 2 rival groups of hoodlums at about 10:00 a.m. and immediately directed his Vice Chairman, Hon. Shobayo Kehinde, to proceed to the area and assess the situation.
He said he was initially informed that the situation was under control, but about an hour later received a report that the violence had escalated, with lives lost, people injured and properties destroyed.
Following the development, Ejigbadero said he personally contacted the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, the Area P Commander, the Fire Brigade Service and other relevant authorities to seek immediate intervention.
Security operatives were subsequently deployed to the area, including personnel from the Lagos Tactical Team, Rapid Response Squad and other formations.
The chairman said the security deployment helped contain the violence, drive suspected hoodlums away from the affected area and restore calm.
Ejigbadero also visited the community during the security operation, where he met residents and assured them that the council would continue working with security agencies to restore lasting peace.
He said a subsequent assessment showed that a densely populated area consisting largely of shanties had allegedly become a hideout for suspected criminals.
According to him, information gathered by the council linked the area to alleged drug dealing and consumption, uncontrolled social activities, open clubbing and other activities reportedly contributing to insecurity in the community.
The chairman said the council would support lawful measures to identify and remove criminal hideouts, stressing that residents should be able to live and conduct their businesses without fear.
Ejigbadero commended the Lagos State Commissioner of Police for his intervention and the deployment of specialised security teams to the area.
He also acknowledged the efforts of the Area P Commander, Meiran DPO and their officers, the Lagos State Task Force, Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, LASEMA, the Nigerian Army Dogs Barracks and other emergency and security personnel.
The chairman returned to the affected area the following day to assess the situation and said normalcy had begun to return, with residents resuming their activities and businesses reopening.
He, however, warned against complacency, calling for continued vigilance and cooperation between residents, traditional institutions, the council and security agencies.
Ejigbadero also appealed to traditional rulers, Baales, community leaders, traders and residents to provide security agencies with useful information about suspicious activities.
He urged residents not to take the law into their own hands, saying disputes should be reported to the appropriate authorities before they degenerate into violence.
The chairman expressed condolences to families who lost loved ones and sympathised with those injured as well as residents and business owners whose properties and livelihoods were affected.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Agbado Oke Odo LCDA to working with the Lagos State Government and security agencies to protect lives and property and prevent a recurrence of the violence.
